Heading West

1
Heading West

• There were many different reasons why people
  moved west. Today you will learn about some of
  these reasons.

2
Mountain men and Explorers open up the west
3
Mountain men and Fur trappers were some of the
first to explore Nevada.

• Trapped animals for their pelts
• Lived off the land
• Found shelter and food in the mountains
• Many befriended Native Americans
• Disliked by most Native Americans
• Seen as invaders

4
Christopher Kit Carson

• One of the Wests most famous mountain men
• Started exploring in the West at the age of 16
• Couldnt read or write
• Learned all he could about land and trails
• Learned to speak many different languages
• Guide for John C. Fremonts expedition across
  Nevada

5
John C. Fremont

• Named many places in Nevada
• Humboldt River
• Pyramid Lake
• Walker River
• Walker lake
• First to make a correct map of this region
• Also known as the Pathfinder

6
Mountain Men and Explorers
Opened up the West for all of those that were
brave enough to venture out and move West.
7
1840 Emigrant parties begin
Traveling the Oregon and California Trails

• Economic Hard Times brought many people out West
• Searching for rich farm lands
• Jobs
• More space and fewer people
• A chance to begin again
• Seeking adventure

8
Gold
Silver
9
1848

• Gold found at Sutter s Mill in California
• Once this news reached the East coast thousands
  flocked to the West to find their fortune
• Few stopped in Nevada to pan for Gold
• 1850 gold was discovered in Gold Canyon
• 1859 the richest silver ore was found. It was
  named The Comstock Lode.
• This discovery brought thousands of miners to
  Nevada

10
The Homestead Act of 1862 brought many more
settlers to the West. To start their new life
adventure in the Wide open spaces west of the
Mississippi.
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• Mountain men and Explorers guided the way out
  West.
• Economic Hardship fueled the need to go West.
• Discovery of gold in California opened the flood
  gates to the West.
• And for others the search for religious freedom
  encouraged the move West.